ADOR urges NewJeans to stop using new Instagram account over possible “legal issues”

K-pop label ADOR has urged its girl group NewJeans to return to using their official social media accounts amid the parties’ ongoing contract dispute.

• READ MORE: The 25 best K-pop songs of 2024

Earlier this week, members Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein of girl group NewJeans launched a new Instagram account with the handle @jeanzforfree to update and communicate with their fans of their activities.

They started the account weeks after announcing plans to terminate their contracts with ADOR. “We’ll be here more often. This account is where we’ll live now,” they said in a video posted shortly after launching the account, per The Chosun Daily.

Yesterday (December 18), ADOR released a statement urging NewJeans to return to using the group’s official channels, citing concerns from advertisers. “Aside from the official SNS accounts of NewJeans opened by ADOR, all accounts were opened without prior consultation under the exclusive contract,” claimed the label per Asia Kyeongje.

“There are inquiries and complaints from third parties such as advertisers regarding the accounts and posting of content, which is concerning,” it said. “Separate entertainment activities through the accounts could cause legal issues, and ADOR has expressed these concerns to the artists and their legal representatives.”

At the time of publishing, NewJeans have not responded to ADOR’s statement. The group most recently uploaded a series of photos from their new Vogue Korea cover shoot, as well as a clip of member Hanni performing an original song titled ‘Weightless’.

ADOR filed a lawsuit earlier this month to confirm the legal validity and ensure the enforcement of its contract with the members of NewJeans, after the group announced its termination at an emergency press conference in late November.

The quintet responded claiming that they had already “returned profits exceeding the investment to ADOR and HYBE”. “Forcing us to work for another five years despite this breakdown in trust and contract violations is not only unreasonable but also inhumane,” they said.